Speed-indicator and alarm



(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet 1. R. H. NICHOLSON.

SPEED INDICATOR AND ALARM.

- NO. 547,280. Patanted Oct. 1, 1895.

zl/iinese ANDREW H.6RAHANL PHOTOUTNQWASHMGYOKRC (No Model. 2Sheets-Sheet 2.

R. H. NICHOLSON.

SPEED INDICATOR AND ALARM.

No. 547,280. Patented Oct. 1, 1895.

UNITED; S A

ROBERT H. NICHOLSON, OF WVILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA.

SPEEDHNDICATOR AND ALARM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 547,280, dated October1, 1895.

Application filed April 6, 1895- Serial No. 544,821. (N 0 model.)

To ctZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that L'Ronnsr H. NICHOLSON, a citizen of the United States,residing at \Vilkesdfiarr, in the county of Luzcrne and State ofPennsylvania,have invented certain new and useful Improvements inSpeed-Indicators; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full,clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enableothers skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use thesame.

This invention relates to means for indicatin g the speedsofrevolvingshafts; and it consists in the novel construction andcombination of the parts hereinafter fully described and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a front view of the indicator with thefront parts of the case removed. Fig. 2 is a vertical section throughthe indicator. Fig. 3 is a rear view of the indicatorcase, showing theclamping devices. Fig. 4 is a side view of the same. Fig. 5 is a rearview of the indicator, showing the case opened and in a position to beattached to a shaft. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the indicator-case.

The indicator is contained in a case formed of two semicircular parts,each having a back plate a. and a front hollow portion 25, secured tothe said back plate. The two semicircular parts are pivoted together atthe top by the pin r, and one part has guide-lips s, which engage withthe plate a of the other part. The case is provided with a central holea of a size sufficient to encircle the largest shaft to which the deviceis likely to be attached, and the said case has clamping devices forsecuring it to the shaft. These clamping devices preferably consist oftwo levers a, provided with clamping-jaws u, for engaging withthe shaft:0. The opposite ends of these levers are pivotally connected to theback 7 plates to bythe links to, which operate to preserve theparallelism of the said jaws. The free ends of the levers are forked,and 1; represents clamping-bolts provided with thumb nuts. These boltsare each pivoted to one lever and engage with the forked end of theother lever. The device is clamped upon any revolving shaft such as, forinstance, the hub of a bicycle-by tightening the said thumb-nuts.

B is a spring-actuated motor similar to an ordinary clock. B is theverge of the escapement, and b is the barrel, in which the drivingspring b is concealed. This motor is wound up with a key as often asnecessary in the same manner as a clock. A clapper d is attached to theverge B and rings a bell c continuously Whenever the motor is permittedto operate. A pivoted rod e is provided with a projection e, which bearsagainst the clapper d. A springf normally holds the rod a raised andpresses the clapper back by means of the projection e, so that the motoris held stationary.

E is a plate atthe free end of the rod 6. A lever j is pivoted on thepin K, which projects from the plate a, and Z is a Weight secured on thesaid lever. A springZ' is attached to the lever and to the stop on onthe plate a and normally holds the lever pressed toward the shaft w. Aguard n is provided for limiting the oscillations of the lever j aboutits pivot, and h is a screw-threaded boss on the end of the lever. Ascrew g engages with the boss h and bears against the plate E on the rod6. The screw 9 carries a pointer g, which projects through a slot q inthe plate and indicates the position of the end of the screw withreference to a graduated scale on the outside of the case.

An arm 0 is pivoted to the plate a by the pin 0' and is adjusted so thatit will not turn freely on its pivot-pin. The arm 0 carries a pointer p,which projects through the slot Pin the plate a and indicates theposition of the arm with reference to a graduated scale on the outsideof the case. The free end of the arm 0 normally bears against the plateE, and the screw 9 is adjusted with respect to the plate E so as topermit the bell to ring when any prearranged speed is attained orexceeded.

When the device is clamped on a shaft and the shaft is caused torevolve, the Weighted lever j operates like the arm of a pendulumspeed-governor and moves away from the shaft w as the speed isincreased. The screw 9 moves with the arm and presses the plate E andthe arm 0 to the left. When the pre arranged speed is attained the arm Ehas been moved far enough to withdraw the projection from contact withthe bell-clapper. This permits the motor to start, and the bell is rungICC as long as the prearranged speed is maintained or exceeded, andthe'bellstops ringing as soon as the speed decreases below that at whichthe bell was set to ring.

The arm 0 and its pointer indicate the maximum speed attained, as theystay in the position to which they are pushed by the plate E and do notmove back until pushed back forcibly by hand.

This device is applicable to all kinds of machines; but it isprincipally intended for use in connection with bicycles. It is intendedto be used as a trainer and to do away with pacers by parties who aretraining for races.

The bell is arranged to ring when a certain speed is attained, and therider knows when he attains that speed by hearing the bell ring, whichalso informs him when he drops below that speed because the bell thenceases to ring. The pointer 19 tells him the maximum speed he attainedduring any run, and the pointer g enables him to set the device so thatthe bell will ring when any prearranged speed is attained.

VVhat I claim is 1. In a speed indicator, the combination, with arevoluble supporting case, of a springpressed weighted lever pivoted tothe case, a spring-actuated motor, a bell, and a clapper for ringing thebell, the said lever being operatively connected with the said clapperand permitting the bell to ring continuously when a prearranged speed isattained, substantially as set forth.

2. In a speed indicator, the combination, with a revoluble supportingcase, of a springpressed weighted lever pivoted to the case, a bell, aspring-actuated motor, a clapper for ringing the bell, the said leverbeing operatively connected with the said clapper, and adjusting devicesoperating to cause the said lever to permit the said bell to ring atprearranged speeds, substantially as set forth.

3. In a speed indicator, the combination,

with a revoluble supporting case, of a springpressed weighted leverpivoted to the case, a spring-actuated motor, a bell provided with aclapper carried by the said motor, and a pivoted rod operativelyconnected with the said lever and provided with a projection normallypreventing the clapper from ringing the bell, substantially as setforth.

4. In a speed indicator, the combination, with a revoluble supportingcase, of a springpressed weighted lever pivoted to the case, anadjustable screw engaging with the free end of the said lever andprovided with a pointer, a spring-actuated motor, a bell, a clappercarried by the motor, and a spring-supported and pivoted rod providedwith a plate at its free end for the said screw to bear against andhaving a projection engaging with the said clapper, substantially as setforth.

5. In a speed indicator, the combination, with a revoluble supportingcase formed of two semicircular parts pivotally connected together, oftwo levers pivotally supported by the respective parts of the case,clamping screws coupling the said levers together and operating tosecure the said case to a shaft, and speed indicating devices carried bythe said case, substantially as set forth.

6. In a speed indicator, the combination, with a revoluble supportingcase formed of two semicircular parts pivotally connected together; ofthe two clamping levers pivoted to the halves of the case by links andprovided with clamping jaws for engaging with the shaft, the clampingscrews engaging with the said levers, and speed indicating devicescarried by the said case, substantially as set forth.

In testimony whereof I aliix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT I-I. NICHOLSON.

Witnesses:

A. G. CAMPBELL, E. B. HAMLIN.

